Switch mechanism.



UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEToE.

BERTRAND G. JAMIESON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HARVEY J. RICHARDSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BERTRAND G. JAMIE- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a. full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to switch mechanisms and more particularly to oil break switch mechanism of the remotewcontrol type. The oil break switches are a"'"gener ally recognized necessity in connection with the rupturing of high potential circuits, the function of the oil and the advantages of the remote control mechanism being well understood.- However, the continued operation of the switch causes carbonization of the oil, and sometimes impurities or moisture may lind their way into the oil so that,

even though the switch elements`V` are other-v wise in good condition and open the circuit at the breaking point under the oil, there may be leakage across this gapand through the oil after the switch has opened. Thus, it is generally recognized as a hazard to human life to touch any system of electrical conductors subject to impress of dangerous potential, even though the oil break switch is open, and, therefore, it becomes necessary to provide a supplementary visible break in air in series with the oil switch.

y No other formof break in an electric circuit oii'ers the definiteness and instant determination of this characteristic as the visible gap in air.

The form that these gaps usually take, in the present status of the art, is that of the knife switch known as a disconnective, the same being separately and manually operated after the oil switch has opened, and in a like manner, closed before oil vswitch is closed. The lack of cordination in time and manner of operation of the oil switch and the air break gives rise to a great many inadvertences and accidents with their concomitant damage to life and property. Operatives have frequently opened the air breaks of switches which had their oil breaks closed because of this fact. Also because of the form of these air breaks, a great deal of additional space is Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

Application filed August 5, 1915. Serial No. 43,777.

My invention concerns itself with the pro-" vision of switch mechanism of such a character that the oil break and air break are conjointly controlled. By this means the operative can tell whether the circuit is positively dead by merely examining the air break portion of the switch mechanism. Of course it is desirable that a moment elapse between the break in oil and the break in air as otherwise there might be danger of breaking the air switch prior to the oil break switch, in which case the serious consequences above referred to 'would take place. It must be realized that thousands of horse power are concerned in the rupture of circuits such as those under consideration and the power ruptured at the break is enormous.

I will explain one form of my invention with a modification more in detail by referring to the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a side view partly in section of a. switch mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail enlarged sectional view of the dash pot mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line af--a of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail modification.

Referring-more particularly to Fig. 1, I show an oil tank 1 having a cover plate or lid 2 which supports two insulators 3 and 4. The tank is supposed to contain oil on a level with the line marked Oil level in Fig. 1. The tank 1 is supported by means of the arm 5 in any suitable manner. A plunger 6 extends into the oil tank and this plunger is operated through the agency of the link7 in any of the well known ways either by a hand lever, not shown, or by a remotely controlled electromagnetic mechanism. For the purpose of closing the switch a suitable tripping mechanism remotely controlled, also not shown, actsy to control the operatlon of the link `7', yall as customary in switches of the oil circuit breaker type.

Now my invention concerns itself with the provision of means whereby the plunger 6 whether operated by hand or remotely controlled, not only opens the circuit conview of a trolled by the switch under oil, but also opens the circuit in air. The plunger 6 carries at its lower extremity a bridge piece 8 having two contact fingers 9, 9. The circuit of course is completed through the bridge piece 8. The insulators 3 and 4 have upwardly extending elements 10 which support further insulators 11, which insulators carry the lstationary contact elements 12. A loosely carried plunger 13 slidable up and down passes through the insulator 3 and carries at its upper extremity spring contact fingers 14, 14 which engage with the coperating permanently mounted contacts 12 when the switch is closed. These elements 12, 14 represent the air break. The plunger 13 carres a piston 15, which piston has holes 16 therethrough. A iat plate valve 17 held upwardly by a spring 18 against the lower portion of the piston 15 controls the openings 16. This piston operates within a cylinder 19 held at the lower extremity of the insulator 3. Tubes 20 passing through the insulators 3 have their extremities turned over as shown in order to hold the cylinder 19 in place against the lower portion of the insulators 3. It will be seen that the cylin- .ders 19 are constantly immersed in the oil.

The ypliungers 13 also carry at their lower extremities spring contact lingers 21, 21,

which contact fingers coperate with the contact fingers 9. The cylinders 19 also have relief or control valves 22 for obvious reasons. Bleeder ports 23 are provided at the upper extremity of the cylinder 19.

Assume now that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, and assuming that the holding mechanism is operated to release the link 7 so that the plunger 6 may fall down under the influence of gravity, it is seen that the circuit is broken between Athe contact elements 9 and 21, which break occurs under oil. The circuit is thus ruptured. Immediately this break occurs the plungers 13 are left unsupported and they begin to move downwardly under the in- 'fluence of gravity, being retarded in their movement by the slow egressof oil from the cylinders 19 through the control valves 22. Thus a downward movement of the plungers 13 naturally breaks the circuit through the elements 12, 14, thus providing an air break. By reason of the dampening or retarding effect of the oil in the cylinders 19, this air break naturally does not occur until after the break iir oil. The plungers 13 then can continue to settle downwardly to the limit of their stroke. Now when the plun er 6 is again raised or moved Vupwardly to c ose the circuit, the elements 9 engage the elements 21 if they are not already in engagement and force the plungers 13 upwardly. This of course requires no action against the confined oil in the c lnder because the plate valve 17 under t is condition of things is pushed to its open position so that the oil exerts no retarding influence. The plunger 6 is moved upwardly until the elements 12 and 14 contact, at which time the circuit is closed. It will thus be seen that the plunger 6 controls both an oilfand an air break, and that as herein shown the air break occurs subsequently to the oil break when opening the switch.

In Fig. 4 I show a modied form of the structure in which the plunger 13*L carries an oil chamber 24 having an opening 25 at the top portion and an opening 26 at the lower portion. The oil level is indicated by the line so marked. Assuming that the support by the bridge element 8 is removed from the plunger 13a as when the switch is to be opened, then the plunger 13a would tend to drop, but its speed would be proportionate to the velocity of the escape of the air from the upper portion of the air chamber 24 through the opening 25. This speed of descent can of course be regulated as may be desired. When the plunger 13ll is then again forced upwardly the oil can slowly enter the oil chamber through the opening 26 to its proper level.

In Fig. 1 I show follower spring contacts 27 to insure a break in oil preparatory to a break in air.

In Fig. 5 I show a modied and preferred form of contact device which may be substituted for the elements 12, 14 and 27 of Fig. 1, and which modified form insures against an air break preparatory to the oil break. The stationary contactportion comprises contact elements 28 adapted to be engaged by the movable contact 29. The elements 28 are resiliently mounted on by being carried by springs 30, 30. These springs 30 have spring catches 31, strong enough to hold the element 29, but not strong enough to hold both elements 29 and 13. Flexible conductors 32 electrically unite elements 29 and 13. Adjustable stops 32*1 are provided so that ,the element 29 is pushed upwardly the proper distance to be in circuit closing position when the plunger 6 moves upwardly. Fig. 5 shows the parts in circuit closing position. Assume now that the plunger 6 is lowered, then rod 13 falls slowly, distending the elements 32, the contact 29 in the meantime being held in position by the springs 31. As soon as the conductors 32 are elongated to their full lengths then the weight of the rod 13 and the parts it carries is added to the weight of the contact 29, and the springs 31 not being able to hold this entire weight, contact between p the plunger may be operated up and down without closing the circuit, for instance,

during adjustment of said device.

Having however thus described these forms which my invention may take, what I claim -as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank filled with an Yarc extinguishing fluid, switch mechanism within said tank, automatically openedl switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially includedin the same circuit, a plunger carrying coperating parts of both switch mechanisms, and means for controlling said plunger. l

2. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, switch mechanism within said tank, automatically openedv switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, means to delay the action of the second switch mechanism aforesaid until after the operation of the first switch mechanism aforesaid when the circuit is to be opened, a plunger carrying coperating parts of both switch mechanisms, and means for controlling said plunger.

3. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, switch mechanism within said tank, switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank entirely automatically opened, said switchY mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, means for conjointly. operating one of said mechanisms and permitting operationof the other of said mechanisms, and a dash pot for delaying the action of the second switch mechanism aforesaid until after the operation of the first switch mechanism aforesaid when the circuit is to be opened.

4:. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank, filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, switch mechanism within said ta'nk, switch mechanism exteriorly tosaid tank entirely automatically opened, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, a dash pot for delaying the action of the second switch mechanism aforesaid until after the operation of the first switch mechanism aforesaid when the circuit is to be opened, a plunger carrying coperating parts of both switch mechanisms, and means for controlling said plunger.

5. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, switch mechanism within said tank, switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank,

said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, and means 1ncluding an extensible rod for successively operating said mechanisms upon circuit rupture, the two parts of said extensible rod respectively carrying coperating parts of the respective switch mechanisms.

6. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank filled with an arc extinguishing fiuid, switch mechanism within said tank, automatically opened switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, and means for operating one of said mechanisms and permitting 'operation ofthe'other of said mechanisms, said second switch mechanism operating after the circuit rupture operation of said first aforesaid switch mechanism.

7 Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid confining tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, switch mechanism within said tank, automatically opened switch mechanism eXteriorly to said tank, means for controlling said first switch mechanism whereby said second switch mechanism is permitted to operate automatically after the operation of said first mentioned switch mechanism upon circuit rupture, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, and means for successively operating said mechanisms upon circuit rupture.

8. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filledwith an arc extinguishing fluid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, exteriorly controlled means for controlling said first aforesaid switch mechanism, and means entirely automatically controlled and responsive to the condition of said first aforesaid switch mechanism to control said second aforesaid switch mechanism, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

9. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, exteriorly controlled means for controlling said. first aforesaid switch mechanism, and means controlled by means movable with said first aforesaid switch mechanism to control said second aforesaid switch ymechanism, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

10. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filled with an arc extinguishing uid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, exteriorly controlled means for controlling said first aforesaid switch mechanism, and means controlled and responsive tog/the condition of said first aforesaid switch mechanism to control said second aforesaid switch mechanism to thereby open said second switch mechanism after and close it before said first aforesaid switch mechanism,' said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

11. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same l circuit, exteriorly controlled means for controlling said first aforesaid switch mechanism, and means controlled by means movable with said first aforesaid switch mechanism to control said second aforesaid switch mechanism to thereby open said second switch mechanism after and close it before said first aforesaid switch mechanism, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the `normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

12. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, 'exteriorly operator controlled means for Voperating said' first aforesaid switch mechanism, and means beyond the control of the operatorl and entirely automatically controlled and responsive to the condition of said first aforesaid switch mechanism to control said second aforesaid switch mechanism, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the norm-al operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby. l

13. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, exteriorly controlled means for controlling said first aforesaid switch mechanism, means under the control of said first aforesaid means for controlling said second switch mechanism, and delaying means interposed between said two switch mechanisms whereby said switch mechanisms open successively only with the interposition of a definite timetinterval, said fir'st aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

14. Circuit breaking apparatus of taining tank filled with an arc extinguishing fluid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, exteriorly controlledmeans for controlling said first aforesaid switch mechanism, means under the control of said first aforesaid means for controlling said second switch mechanism, and delaying means interposed between said two switch mechanisms whereby said switch mechanisms open successively only with the interposition of a definite adjustable time interval, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

15. Circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising a fluid containing tank filled with an arc extinguishing fiuid, submerged switch mechanism within said tank, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, exteriorly controlled means for controlling said first aforesaid switch mechanism, and means controlled and responsive to the condition of said rst aforesaid switch mechanism to control said second aforesaid switch mechanism, said second switch mechanism being for indicating purposes merely, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being the. character described comprising a fiuid coniio adapted in the normal operation of the apsaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the apparatus to entirely rupture the circuit controlled thereby.

17. In a circuit making and breaking apparatus, a tank, an arc extinguishing Huid within said tank, a switch mechanism immersed in said arc extinguishing iuid, a second switch mechanism exteriorly of said tank and said fluid, said switch mechanisms being in series and including a plunger forming one contact of each, said plunger being movable longitudinally, means whereby the movement of said plunger to open said second switch is prevented until after the opening of said rst switch, and means whereby said opening of said second switch is further delayed) 18. An indicating high potential switch comprising a fluid containing tank lled with an' arc extinguishing fluid, circuit breaking mechanism within said tank and submerged in said fluid, visible switch mechanism exteriorly t0 said tank, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, means for operating said rst aforesaid switch mechanism to establish circuit rupture, and means beyond the control of the operator and independently automatically operable upon actuation of said lirst aforesaid switch mechanism to open said second aforesaid switch mechanism to thereby establish a visible 'air gap submerged in said fluid, visible switch mechanism exteriorly to said tank, said switch. mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, means for operating said first aforesaid switch mechanism to establish circuit rupture, means beyond the control of the operator and independently automatically operable upon actuation of said first aforesaid switch mechanism to open said second aforesaid switch mechanism to thereby establish a visible air gap in the circuit controlled by the said switch, and a delaying device to delay the operations of said last aforesaid means, said first aforesaid switch mechanism being adapted in the normal operation of the switch to entirely break the circuit controlled thereby.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th day of June, A. D., 1915.

BERTRAND G. JAMIESON. Witnesses:

MAX W. ZABEL, HAZEL ANN JONES. 

